Amongst a host of necessary new decisions, utilities beginning to roll out advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) must choose from building their own network, partnering with a telco for use of theirs or working with a middleman that does the network aggregation for them. In most cases, it comes down to a technology choice of whether fixed wireless, fiber, leased line or cellular data makes the most sense to power their future smart grids.
The once-standoffish Federal Communications Commission is even getting involved in the smart-grid infrastructure debate. It recently appointed former venture capitalist Nick Sinai as Energy and Environmental Director, charged with the task of examining how broadband and communications infrastructure and policies can support national energy and environment goals, particularly the smart grid. What Sinai and the FCC decides will determine the regulations for utility companies using wireless spectrum and broadband access technology as well as determine what broadband’s role will ultimately be in smart grids.
